Review Of ‘The Kashmir Files’ From The Eyes Of An Indian Muslim

The Kashmir Files, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, is based on a true story of the struggle of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus), a religious minority in the Kashmir valley in the 1990s who were forced to evacuate their homes by Islamic extremists. They had been in exile for more than 30 years, with governments doing nothing to help them reintegrate. Their cause is on the left, and it is only brought up in political arguments.

Based on testimonies from survivors, the movie makes a compelling case that this wasn’t just an evacuation, but a horrific genocide that is still being pushed under the rug for political reasons. The Kashmiri Pandits (KP) have been living in exile for almost 30 years, with their homes and stores encroached by locals. They continue to seek justice and, most importantly, recognition. Despite the horrific consequences for evacuated families, few films have addressed this occurrence.

The exodus and its repercussions are revisited in Vivek Agnihotri’s brutal and explosive film. It depicts the atrocities endured by KPs as a result of their religion, based on verifiable reports. Whether it was the assassination of telecom engineer BK Ganjoo in a rice barrel, the Nadimarg massacre, in which 24 Hindu Kashmiri Pandits were slaughtered by militants in battle uniformed militants.

These real-life events are re-enacted in the film through the perspective of an elderly patriot, Pushkar Nath Pandit (Anupam Kher character in The Kashmir Files), his four best friends, and his on-the-edge grandson, Krishna (Darshan Kumaar). Krishna’s pursuit for truth, oblivious to his history, is the plot.

Although uncovering old wounds may not provide a solution but healing could only occur if the trauma has been accepted by all sections of society. Agnihotri goes all around without diluting the events, making for an exciting viewing experience. He prefers shocks to delicacy.

Something similar happened when a Muslim girl shared her reviews on this movie by accepting the things without creating any controversies.

Muslim girl’s post about her review and opinion on this film and Kashmiri Pandit genocide

Amana Ansari Begum is a co-host of a weekly YouTube show called ‘India this Week by Amana and Khalid.’ She is a resident of Delhi and a Research Associate at Citizens’ Foundation for Policy Solutions. She shares her views on this movie and the Kashmiri Pandit genocide via her post on Facebook.

Finally watched Kashmir files with my mom yesterday, couldn’t write immediately,since the reality of the suffering and pain of KP which I was aware of but not in this depth hit me hard. All my mom said to me in the theatre was how on earth a human can do this to another human.

Forget all other reasons and just watch to know the suffering of humans and long injustice to them. How politics didn’t allow even to speak their stories, how our so called fighters of justice failed them because that injustice didn’t fit into their narrative.

Pain and suffering shook me to the core but for me, the masterpiece was how the movie depicted the modus operandi of the Leftist ecosystem and their desire to be seen as the messiah of the voiceless. The reality though is completely the opposite.

This movie tell stories of Kashmiri Pandits without any apologia or bringing any balance to it, it might feel like accusing all Kashmiri Muslims but when Kashmiri Muslims failed to speak for their minorities, fight for them, they as a society do become responsible. I have seen very few Kashmiri Muslims, likes of Sualeh Keen, Arshia Malik , Khalid Baig and a few others who for last 1 decade have on hundreds of occassions written about the sufferings of their once existent Hindu Minority. Sadly I have not seen even thousands of Kashmiri Muslims speak about Pandits. Many even openly mock their plight, their tragedy. Also I know the societal pressures likes of Sualeh Keen, Arshia and Khalid feel time to time for speaking about Kashmiri Pandit Victims. Hence I am skeptical of the number of Kashmiri Muslims who genuinely feel some sense of shame and sadness regarding what happened to their Hindu minority.

This movie should be watched by every Indian and those who are passionate about humanity, social justice and fairness. Not just by ‘Hindu’.

I am sorry as a fellow Indian for failing Kashmiri Pandits.

Kashmiri Muslims, rest of India and the world owes them an apology, at the least.

I share your pain.

Below is the entire Facebook post shared by Amana Ansari Begam

The Kashmir Files brings out the truth which was buried for decades.